Red Bull driver Max Verstappen has been given a 10 second time penalty and 2 penalty points for causing collision, but the Dutchman keeps his 2nd place finish at 2021 Saudi Grand Prix.
The FIA claim Verstappen “braked in a manner which caused a collision with Hamilton at Turn 26”.
The stewards said Verstappen “slowed significantly at Turn 26” but that it was “obvious that neither driver wanted to take the lead prior to DRS detection line 3”.
Verstappen told the stewards he was unsure why Hamilton had not overtaken him, while Hamilton said he was not aware that Verstappen was handing him the place back.
But the decisive point of information for the stewards was that Verstappen’s sudden braking move resulted in 2.4g deceleration, which they deemed to be “erratic and hence the predominant cause of the collision”.
“Hence the standard penalty of 10 seconds for this type of incident, is imposed,” the bulletin ends.
The penalty has no bearing on the final classification, though, as Verstappen finished 16 seconds clear of Valtteri Bottas in third place, meaning the Red Bull driver keeps P2.
The stewards also awarded Verstappen two penalty points on his FIA superlicence, taking him up to seven for the 12-month period.
It comes after Verstappen received a penalty point for going off-track and gaining a lasting advantage in the race, which resulted in his initial five-second penalty
